ι мαкє тнєм gσσ∂ gιяℓѕ gσ вα∂

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon watched her for a second before giving a small shrug of his own. He led her toward the door and said, "Let's take a walk."

[assassinrue]

Felicity smiled tentatively at him and followed him outside, her stomach full of nerves.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

It was warm outside, warmer than it had been all week. It seemed that spring was finally poking its head out of the snow. Daemon lifted his chin and took a deep breath, reveling in what he would call the perfect temperature. He turned right and started down the sidewalk, not going anyone in particular, but rather walking for the sake of walking.

[assassinrue]

Felicity followed Daemon silently. She didn't want to start a conversation, mostly because she didn't know what to say. Her shyness was returning, her confidence wavering.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets and glanced over at her. "I have to say, you surprised me tonight," he said. After the noise in the club, his voice in the outside silence sounded incredibly loud.

[assassinrue]

Felicity shrugged shyly. "I used to be like that. Fun and stuff. I guess you just made me want that again." She regretted the moment the words came out her mouth. Too much. Too far. He shouldn't know that.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon raised his eyebrows. He knew he shouldn't push, but it really wasn't in his nature to do the logical thing. "What happened?"

[assassinrue]

Felicity shrugged, looking at the ground, "Paul happened."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon cocked his head slightly. "Who is that guy anyway?"

[assassinrue]

Felicity scoffed. "He's just a major douche."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon gave her a wry smile. "Yeah, thanks. I figure that much out already. What happened between you two? I assume you were dating him and he was a horrendous boyfriend. He's not anywhere near as good looking as me."

[assassinrue]

Felicity chuckled a little at his last statement. Daemon was pretty damn gorgeous, she had to admit it. But Paul was still the most beautiful person she had ever seen. She suddenly wondered is Daemon would change that. "He lied about his job, which turned out to be illegal. He was abusive and cheated." She said the words like a robot, not letting herself feel them.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon's step faltered. "What do you mean 'abusive'?" He might use and abandon women, but they always knew what they were getting into, and he would never, ever hit or otherwise abuse someone. Sure, he'd beaten up his fair share of jerks, but they'd always been asking for it.

[assassinrue]

Felicity shrugged again. "He pointed guns at my face several times or held them to my head. Sometimes he hit me, pushed me around. Sometimes he'd grab my throat."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon gritted his teeth. Oh, yeah. Next time he saw that a**, he'd kick the crap out of him. "But you got out," he said.

[assassinrue]

"I'm amazed I did really."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon stopped walking all together now. He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "If that jerk tries to hurt you again, or even talks to you, you tell me. I'm not going to let him continue his damn reign of terror."

[assassinrue]

Felicity pulled back, rolling her eyes. "Thank you Daemon, but that was the first time I've seen him in two years, he's not going to come after me. We are more than done."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon gave a small nod, but the hard look didn't leave his eyes. He started walking again, not looking at her. "Have you dated anyone since then?"

[assassinrue]

Felicity looked down at her feet as she walked. She felt her face grow hot and was certain she was blushing. Damn it. "No. I haven't been able to."